Iowa Pull Tab Locations: Find Every Retailer in the State

Iowa might not be the first state you think of when it comes to pull tabs, but the Hawkeye State has a solid network of nearly 400 retailers selling them. From Des Moines gas stations to small-town American Legions, pull tabs are more common across Iowa than most people realize.

We've mapped all 393 Iowa pull tab retailers, and this guide covers where to find them, how Iowa's system works, and what to expect when you play.

How Pull Tabs Work in Iowa

Iowa's pull tab system works differently from states like Minnesota and Alaska. In Iowa, pull tabs are sold through the Iowa Lottery as a licensed product. Retailers — including bars, gas stations, convenience stores, and some fraternal organizations — purchase pull tab games from the Iowa Lottery and sell them to customers.

This means Iowa pull tabs are technically lottery products, not charitable gaming in the traditional sense. The revenue benefits the state through the Iowa Lottery's contributions to state programs, rather than going directly to a local nonprofit like it does in Minnesota.

Where to Find Pull Tabs in Des Moines

The Des Moines metro area has the highest concentration of pull tab retailers in the state. You'll find them at convenience stores, liquor stores, bars, and a handful of veterans clubs. The suburbs — Ankeny, West Des Moines, Urbandale, and Altoona — all have multiple locations.

Since Iowa pull tabs are sold through lottery retailers, many of the same places that sell Powerball tickets also carry pull tab games. Look for the Iowa Lottery logo in the window.

Cedar Rapids and Iowa City

The Cedar Rapids–Iowa City corridor in eastern Iowa has a good cluster of pull tab retailers. Cedar Rapids, Iowa's second-largest city, has locations scattered across the metro, including spots along 1st Avenue and in the neighborhoods surrounding downtown. Iowa City, home to the University of Iowa, has a smaller number of locations mainly in bars and off-campus convenience stores.

Council Bluffs and Western Iowa

Council Bluffs, sitting directly across the Missouri River from Omaha, has multiple pull tab locations. This area has a long gaming tradition thanks to its proximity to the casinos. You'll find pull tabs at bars, convenience stores, and the local AmVets and American Legion posts.

Smaller western Iowa towns like Storm Lake, Le Mars, and Denison also have retailers, though you might only find one or two locations per town.

Waterloo, Dubuque, and Eastern Iowa

Waterloo and its neighbor Evansdale have several pull tab locations including an AmVets post and multiple bars. Dubuque, perched on the Mississippi River bluffs, has a mix of bars and convenience stores carrying pull tabs.

Smaller eastern Iowa communities — Decorah, Manchester, Oelwein — often have at least one pull tab retailer, typically a local bar or gas station.

Small-Town Iowa Pull Tabs

One of the best things about Iowa's pull tab map is how well distributed the locations are. You don't have to be in a major city to find them. Towns with populations under 5,000 — places like Floyd, Alpha, Elma, and Ossian — have pull tab retailers. In many of these communities, the local bar or gas station is the only game in town, literally.

In rural Iowa, pull tabs serve a similar social function as they do in rural Minnesota: they bring people to the bar, give folks something to do, and generate a little excitement in a small community.

Types of Iowa Pull Tab Retailers

Iowa's pull tab retailers fall into a few categories:

• Bars and restaurants (40%): The most common type. Local bars, sports bars, and bar-and-grills that sell pull tabs alongside drinks
• Gas stations and convenience stores (30%): Quick stops where you can grab pull tabs with your fuel and coffee
• Liquor stores (15%): Dedicated liquor and tobacco shops that carry pull tab games
• Veterans and fraternal clubs (10%): American Legions, VFW posts, and AmVets that sell pull tabs to support their organizations
• Other (5%): Grocery stores, truck stops, and other miscellaneous retailers

Iowa vs. Minnesota Pull Tabs: What's Different?

If you've played pull tabs in Minnesota, here's how Iowa compares:

• Lottery vs. charitable gaming: Iowa pull tabs are Iowa Lottery products; Minnesota's are run by nonprofits
• Where the money goes: Iowa revenue goes to state programs; Minnesota revenue goes to local charities
• Where you buy them: Iowa sells at gas stations and stores; Minnesota is almost exclusively bars and clubs
• Selection: Minnesota bars often have 10+ active games; Iowa retailers typically carry 2-5
• Prize sizes: Similar range, though Minnesota's larger deals can have higher top prizes
• Volume: Minnesota has 2,664 locations and a huge gaming culture; Iowa's 393 locations reflect a smaller but steady market

Iowa Pull Tab Tips

Iowa Cities With the Most Pull Tab Locations

Based on our data, these Iowa cities have the highest concentration of pull tab retailers:

The Bottom Line

Iowa's 393 pull tab locations might not rival Minnesota's 2,664, but they cover the state well. From metro Des Moines to tiny towns along the highway, you can find pull tabs without driving far. The Iowa Lottery system makes them available in places beyond just bars — gas stations and convenience stores carry them too, which makes them more accessible for casual players.

Whether you're an Iowan who didn't know pull tabs were available near you, or a Minnesota player road-tripping south, now you know where to look.

New to pull tabs? Start with our guides on what pull tabs are and how to play. Also check out our Alaska pull tab guide and state-by-state breakdown.